Auntie Nettie's Attic

40 Diamonds for 40: The Ask

2012-02-02T09:00:00.003-05:00

Sent out at during the holiday 2011, to a select group of friends and family:

Dear friends and family,

Rather than the traditional Holiday letter, I am instead using the rituals of the seasons to relay and extend a special invitation. But I’m not sure how to word it, or extend it, without seeming completely self-centered, so bear with me.

As you may or may not have realized, a major milestone is rapidly approaching in February 2012. While I’ve been rounding up my age for the last 18 months in preparation, 40 is still going to be a shock to the system.

By this point in life, some people have accumulated degrees, cars, houses, spouses, children, grandchildren, animals, accolades, etc. and so forth. What I seem to have collected most is a coterie of wonderful friends and loved ones—extensions of my far-flung family.

Rather than gifts of “stuff,” which I so don’t need or have room for, I would like to ask you to participate in a type of vanity project. I’m asking 40 people who have known me indifferent eras and aspects of my life, to do a birthday guest post for my blog,what I’m calling: 40 Diamonds for 40.

Some people have celebrated their birthdays by doing marathons, charity drives,or give-aways. I’m looking to do something a little closer to home. My blog, Auntie Nettie’s Attic, is designed to be a loose record of my life, but so far, it has been all from my perspective. If I’m going to leave the nieces and nephews with a well-rounded sense of their Auntie Nettie and this big milestone, then your participation is the gift I’d treasure from you this year.

Since it would be ridiculous to put qualifiers on such a request, all I’d ask is that your entry be PG, not too embarrassing or incriminating, or use too many identifying details like my real name (in order to preserve some sense of internet privacy). If, in the rare instance,you have managed to capture me in a photo, you may use it if you must. I do reserve the right to crop/Photoshop a bit to make me look as good as possible.

I’ll be accepting e-mail submissions that can be cut-and-paste into on-line entries. Good old-fashioned letters are also very welcome. I can retype them when needed. If you have photographs, I can scan, upload, and return them if you can’t attach them in an e-mail.

The posting days will be preferably the 20 days leading up to and 20 days after the actual date in mid-February. If you have a date you would prefer, please let me know that too. However, my mother rightfully gets the actual date, since she had to do all the work. [AN note: With the way things have come in, I'm posting them in order of receipt, except for my parents.]

I realize that this might be an imposition and that you may be uncomfortable with the request. I totally understand if you would prefer not to participate. No feelings will be hurt one way or the other. All I ask is that you let me know if you cannot, or would prefer not to, participate so I can try and get 40 posts together from other people.

With thanks in advance with your help with my 40 Diamonds. I’m really hoping to see a cross section of reminiscences and photos from various stages and aspects of my life. I would also welcome words of wisdom and guidance for the road ahead.

Thanks,

P.S. Should I be scared

or just grateful for my

many friends and family?

40 Diamonds for 40: Setting the Scene

2012-02-01T09:00:00.003-05:00

40 Diamonds for 40

I also find it hard to deal with the fact that [I’m]… almost forty,the age at which your options start to diminish because you are more or less locked into a life path. I read somewhere– and one of the signs of getting older is that I can no long remember where – that life is shaped like a diamond. At the start, your choices are few. They get greater and greater with each year until forty or so, when the choices you’ve made start to limit the ones you can make – until you die, which is general as much of a choice as being born is.

I don’t find this bleak,actually. I’m fairly content with the choices I’ve made and the ones I’m not at ease with are minor. The knowledge that my diamond is getting narrower just makes me more careful about my time and likely to enjoy where I am more. Besides, I’m tired of deciding and, in a way, welcome having less big stuff to think about. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

From: Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously by Adrienne Martini

“Words are important to a woman, aren’t they?”

“Words are important, to everyone.

When they’re not said, they leave holes.”

~N. Roberts

Photo of the Day: Warning Signs

2012-01-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

Snow Canyon, Utah, early January 2012
Sign for my life in the next few months? Or just in general?

Photos of the Day: Shoe Tree of Life

2012-01-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

If you are in Utah ... or just on the mountain road to Zion, you will see many signs and marvels. First you must cross the Virgin, pass the ghost towns, steer clear of the ostriches, and go through Rocks and Springs, not to mention Hills and Dales.

If your thoughts are fixed firmly on the road ahead, you may miss something that will touch your "sole" ... the marvelous Shoe Tree of Life.

It is speculated that many a weary wanderer has left their offering to the tree, as a prayer for safe passage or in gratitude for a completed journey. Others speculate that one person's prank has taken on a life of it's own, gotten "legs," you might say. Forget boots on the ground, this is a case of sneakers in the sand, bowling shoes on a branch, tennies in the wind, etc. Perhaps I should stop, before I get barked at for treading over this metaphor to death?

Based on other shoe trees in the area, one has to wonder how long this soleful sensation will last. Perhaps that's the lesson to learn here ... Even when you're in transit, it's always good to stop and look at things. Stop being so laced up.

Many thanks to Grandmary and Joyce for stopping so I could run across the road to be a total dork.

Auntie Nettie's Attic Merchandise 2012 - January

2012-01-29T09:00:00.001-05:00

I am in complete and utter disbelief on how quickly this month passed. Of course, you do have to factor in that I was on vacation, traveling, out of the office, sick and/or recuperating from the aforementioned for the first half of the month.

This month, I:
~rang in the New Year with family;
~went hiking in Snow Canyon with family;
~went kayaking at Sand Hollow with family;
~went shooting on BLM land with family;
~flew to Chicago to reunite with my college friend Kari after 16 years, and
- we talked, walked, talked, ate, and talked;
-explored Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago;
-hung out with her family including;
soccer practice
music lessons/practice
EYSO concert/rehearsal
had birthday celebrations and song,
and a whole lot more;
~was in 4 time zones, 4 airplanes, 3 hotels, a rental car, and too many other conveyances like commuter trains and subways;
~met with work consultants;
~unpacked, did laundry, put the house to rights, caught up on t.v., and
~ oh yeah, did I mention I got sick? But couldn't take anytime off because I had JUST gotten back from 3 weeks off?

It was a busy month. It's taking a while to sort through the over 1000+ photos and video for posts. Good thing is, I have lots of material for future blog posts.

In spite, or despite, all of the above, these are the projects I managed to finish since the last update.

ANA 2012-1: Maroon Diamond Scarf
(Mystery acrylic yarn)

ANA 2012-2: Purple/grey Heather Infinity Scarf
(Skeins of mystery acrylic blends)

ANA 2012-3: Orange/grey Heather Ladder Infinity Scarf
(Skeins of mystery acrylic blends)

ANA 2012-4: Orange Mini Owlie
(leftover mystery acrylic blend and polyfil)

2012-5 & 9: Red/tan Mini Owlies
(Combination of Lion Brand chenille and tapestry wool leftovers and polyfil)

ANA 2012-6: Mini Sparrow with orange markings
(Combination of leftover tapestry wool and acrylic yarn, buttons, and polyfil)

ANA 2012-7 & 8: Blue/tan Mini Owlies, parent and child
(Combination of leftovers of Lion Brand chenille and tapestry wool and polyfil)

ANA 2012-10: Mini sparrow with green markings
(Combination of leftover tapestry wool, buttons, and polyfil)

ANA 2012-11: Mini Green Owlie
(Combination of leftover tapestry wool and polyfil)

ANA 2012-12: Monster Bunny!
(Look, everyone has to make an ugly stuffy once in a while.)
(Combination of leftover mystery and novelty yarns and polyfil)

Still in progress:

2012 UFO 1: Unfinished Bunny of the non-monster variety

2012 UFO 2: Some sort of stuffed animal yet to be determined

2010 UFO: Multicolored, multi-fibered chevron blanket

I swear I fill finish that thing this year. It's taking up space on my shelf. I just need a snow day or week to finish everything up.

The shop should go up again fairly soon, so please keep checking on etsy to see these creations and more. However, if you can't wait, please contact me for prices and availability.

Vacation Days with Drew: Hiking Temple Quarry

2012-01-27T09:00:00.001-05:00

What happens when a Mountain Goat and Mountain Lion take a Scaredy Cat hiking? Well ... something like this.

Grumpa Max (the Mountain Lion) and Drew (the Mountain Goat) apparently take a lot of hikes throughout southern Utah, which is wonderful for them both. I was fortunate? lucky? coerced? into going with them on one of their trips while I visiting -- to a trail called Temple Quarry. I was told it was a relatively easy hike, on not too high a mountain (seriously, it's called the BLACK HILL -- so, not even considered a "mountain" around those parts), with some lovely scenery. I thought things would be fine. The day was beautiful, the weather perfect (light layers, which were shed in the noon-time sun), and the altitude not too bad.

Everything looks to start off well, and then "peace" gets throttled by "wisdom."

What they didn't tell me, and what I discovered for myself, was once you get away from the parking lot, and go around the side of the butte, that the trail narrowed in some spots, with a drastic drop-off. I think both my father and I had forgotten my issues with depth perception, heights, and physical exertion. (It's been a long time since he had to teach me to parallel parking, and he hasn't been with me in NYC for my freakouts in super high skyscrapers.) Umm. Let's just say for much of the hike, I was really REALLY quiet, focused on my feet, and hugging the side of the mountain like you would not believe. I was really trying not to embarrass myself. How ridiculous, right? Shamed by a kid and my father? I'm better on ground level, with the sheer faces of buildings hemming me in than following a hiking track. Then there were the families with small babies, that were being carried like footballs, and the geriatric solo hikers that totally lapped us. (For some reason I was MUCH better on my way back. Giving myself a unprofessional, non-medical diagnosis -- I don't like the drop-off on my left side -- proving once again that my right side, [hand, leg, eye] is my stronger one.)

Once we got to a point where the trail opened up and there was more room between it and the cliff-face, I felt like I could focus more on my surroundings. Such an area of contrasts: red Utah sand, black lava rock from the prehistoric eruptions in the area, desert flora, Drew, Grumpa, etc. Even in the gigantic boulders, you could see the difference in the types of lava flows. If you looked carefully you could see the remains of lava bubbles that exploded when they cooled, or hollows that occurred over the passage of time, where water eroded a rock into a natural basin or throne.

Bringing up the rear again, as we send the most vulnerable out to scout. Survival instinct? Maybe. Impatient goat? Definitely.

Now, I grew up in New England, so when I think quarry, I have visions of the granite quarries in the "mountains" of Vermont - dug/blasted into the sides of and/or into the bowels of the earth. I obviously didn't read the sign when we set out, as I was trying to fix my camera and not freak out and/or fall down. As we kept going around the curves, I kept waiting to see some "dig site." Once we got closer to the "main site," Grumpa started to point out the evidence of the pioneer past; the drill bites into large stones just laying where they were put by nature, or left by man; the clearings where the canteen might have been; the barbed wire fencing remnants; historical graffiti; and other evidence of pioneer fortitude.

That trail that was freaking me out? Used to be traversed regularly, by men, women, children, and mule teams, carting boulders off the hill, and then down to the valley floor. All in the southern Utah desert heat over 140 years ago. All those drill bite? Done manually. All those black rocks? Easily a couple 100 lbs to a ton or more each. That trail? Currently wider in places that it was originally.

Some things you leave alone, as a testament to the power of Mother Nature and the fortitude of man.

Here's some perspective: Can you see the intrepid mountain rock scramblers in the field of stone on the left?
Beyond the impatient goat, off in the mid-distance from his head, nestled down in the valley, is the settlement where the stone from the quarry ended up as the foundation of the most sacred building in town.

There got to be a theme to this vacation - stepping out of my comfort zone. Not only did I get out of the Apple, the Attic, and the rut I was in at work, I ended up doing a lot of things that made me initially uncomfortable. You have to try at least - or you miss things and experiences that broaden your perspective and let you spend important and concentrated periods of time with two of the most important men in your life.

I'm still a Scaredy Cat, but I'll follow the Goat and Lion all over the place. And I have. And I did -- later that week.

Vacation Days with Drew: Playtime

2012-01-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hey there! You lookin' at me? Who loves the Red Sox? This cowboy. (Check out his boots. Not regulation baseball wear.)

Drew had to show off his medal for reading. His dad may have some for his road races, but I think we're all proud of Drew'sliterary laurels. Not only does he love to read about dinosaurs, but thanks to Grandmary's Christmas present, he loves to play with them too.

Most of the time though, he's just monkeying around at the playground, or driving us in circles.

But then, we all get even with TICKLE TIME!

Seriously, it's so nice that I even get to see him so much. Another few years and he'll be too busy with other things, or far too cool to even let me "hang" out near him. These pictures can be deceptive, however, because he will pull a 'tude at the drop of the hat if he's tired, hungry, or thinks things aren't going his way. He actually put himself in time-out once; just walked away in a huff, and took himself off to his room at the grandparents' house, where after we checked on him 20 minutes later discovered he had fallen asleep. When exactly are the terrible "tweens" supposed to start? Because not-quite-7 seems a little early...

Vacation Days with Drew: Happy 7th Birthday Bud!

2012-01-25T09:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Drew!

I can't believe it's your 7th birthday already. It was only (already?) a month ago that I flew out to see you (okay, to see you, your parents, and my parents too.) How time does fly!

I hope you had as much fun playing around in the sun with me, as I had with you. I enjoyed watching you open your Christmas presents. I hope you like your birthday gifts as well. I have a pretty good idea you might. After all, between the Red Sox, books, and dinosaurs, I think I'm okay for now. It's when you get older and move to the next thing, that I'm in trouble.

Love ya bud,
Aunt Nettie

Seriously, what am I going to do when he moves on from this boy stage? What's after the dinosaurs? Anyone? I need to start preparing so I can go to the next museum or ball-club thingy, or have the IT guys prepare me on the video games. I can sorta, kinda already speak the "Red Sox" or "Star Wars" stuff, as well as some "Disney Channel."

YouTube Tuesday: Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Take 2

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Wherein one aunt takes a nephew to a park and proceeds to make him run around the bases until he is completely exhausted. Unfortunately, his imagination takes flight and he begins to direct various takes. These are the tales of Drew the Dude - a legend in his own mind.

This is Take 2 -- wherein "Drama" occurs, as does a bit of "Directing." Where he got that? Well, I can only blame his grandfather, uncle, and father.

If you can't see Take 2 here, please head over to YouTube at: http://youtu.be/D2WKJQlMD34

Take 1 may be seen here or at: http://youtu.be/joyeUmnNREQ

Vacation Days with Drew: Hiking the River

2012-01-23T09:00:00.003-05:00

Because of work schedules, vacation schedules, and by default, I got to spend a lot of time with Drew on my most recent vacation. He's turning 7 this week, so we may end up with 7 entries all about Drew.

One sunny December day, we went out to explore one of the trails that Grumpa and Drew had previously "discovered." Due to the record floods of 2010, this walking trail along the Virgin River has been "closed" because of severe damage. A year later, the logjam debris is still wedged under bridges, and is still stuck up along the riverbanks. The river channel is also considerably wider that it used to be.

That hasn't stopped the denizens of southern Utah from exploring, and helping to monitor the pathways. All you need is some youthful energy, some supplies, and an imagination.

Are those your tracks from your last trip down the road, or dinosaur tracks?

Being a cautiously fastidious sort, Drew does not appreciate it when Mother Nature sends tumbleweeds down the trails to muck things up. (HEY! Who put this here?) He also adheres to some of the warning signs. So what if the sign says the trail is closed? Just don't bring a bike down the path. He pointed this sign out to me after we saw a bunch of bikers.

Drew's pretty fearless too. Look at him blazing away down this ... well, path isn't exactly the right term. This is where you can really see the damage from the floods. The current undercut the bank enough that the concrete trails collapsed. There's a little sliver of solid ground left, but you could slide down and go right into the water. No matter for a feckless and fearless kiddo.

Oddly though, for a kid who would be prefer to be out, about, and on the move -- he hates dirt, and REALLY hates sand in his shoes. I would spend a lot of time waiting for him to take his shoes off, try to get the sand and stuff out of his shoes and socks, and then to put them back on. At least he can tie them now -- which is excellent when I didn't want to bend over to do my own.

Like I said, he hates disorder -- and spent time clearing the tumbleweeds -- when he wasn't picking on his crazy auntie.

Me and my shadow

Recipes from Grandmary /Ollie J -- Fruit Cake

2012-01-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

I know I've included a version of this entry before, but this time I actually have my own experience making the fruitcake.

In addition to the "bark" making, Grandmary and Grumpa opened their kitchen for another installment of Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen so I could have the experience of making Grandma Ollie's fruit cake. It is always a production to make this concoction, and I now I really know exactly what that means -- and what to do differently next time. As we were going through the steps of Grandmary trying to teach me (and not be in control), and Grumpa trying to document it, there were many "discussions" about what wasn't working and why. The word, "you always used to use X," "we've never done it this way before," and "well, EXCUSE me ...." may or may NOT have been bandied about. All I can say is that it's a good thing no one was videotaping it for posterity because it truly was a sticky situation and we were all nuts by the end of it.

Top photo: Grandmary's recipe card
Middle photo: Two versions of Grandma Ollie J's recipe card - once again missing vital pieces of information/or varying on others. The handwritten card has different ingredient amounts.

Grandma Ollie J’s UNCOOKED FRUIT CAKE

3/4 Cup Milk
1 Pound Marshmallows [try to use the mini ones, the large ones take too long to break down]
3 Cups Pecans [whole halves, NOT pieces, thank you very much!]
1/2 Teaspoon Salt [optional - don't remember adding to this batch]
1 Pound Graham Crackers, [crushed by hand with a rolling pin in a baggie]*
1 Pound Seedless Raisins
1 Pound Mixed Candied Fruit [has to be the neon kind]

Mix the *crushed Graham Crackers, Raisins, Candied Fruit, Pecans, and Salt in a large container. [Stir well so everything is well coated/]

Melt Marshmallows in milk over medium heat or in the top of a double boiler. Stir until the Marshmallows are melted. [Don’t use a spatula or plastic stuff. Use a wooden spoon. Add splashes of milk to the mix if it looks to thick or not melting down.]

Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and mix together well. (Using your hands is OK!)
[Don’t wear latex gloves. Spray your hands down with non-stick spray or just prepare to be sticky. You might as well use your hands, not an implement, because it’s too hard to mix the graham cracker mixture and the other ingredients into the marshmallow mix otherwise. Mix like you would a meatloaf -- kneading the dry and wet ingredients together.]

When mixed, press together into a slightly buttered plate or pan in whatever shape is desired.
[Family tradition is to use a large metal bowl to press it into shape, and then “patted down” until packed tightly.

Once it’s in a shape, it’s flipped out of the bowl and further patted into shape. It’s then covered in plastic wrap, and let to “season” in a cool dry place for at least a day.

Then it’s taken out, and cut down into pieces, wrapped in more plastic wrap and left to “season” some more. Will freeze very well.]

I would think that for ease of shaping, and future cutting/packing, you could use well sprayed loaf pans for a more traditional fruitcake shape. This isn't a cake, so much as it's a candied fruit/nut treat, best suited for an energy bar substitute on a hike, etc.

*or a foodprocessor, but "we've never done it that way, and this is the way Mama taught me so that's the way we're doing it!" Okay Grandmary. We get it.

Photos of the Day: Welcome Signs

2012-01-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas Vacation 2011, Southern Utah

Who says that people in Utah are nice and welcoming? Where's the physical manifestation of my Second Amendment rights? I'd feel so much better if I was packing in case I end up going down the wrong dirt path..

Photos of the Day: Fixer Upper

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

So I found the most darling little house, with lots of land, on a quiet street, not too far from my folks, with great Western exposure ... it just needs a little work.

Christmas Vacation 2011, Southern Utah

What do you think? Should I have made an offer?

Photo of the Day: Sweet and Sharp

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas Vacation 2011, Southern Utah

You never know where you are going to find some exotic beauty. This, for example, was a found in the landscaping in a Walmart parking lot. Beauty is all in the eye of the beholder. You just have to be looking.

Photo of the Day: Spidey Senses

2012-01-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas Vacation 2011, Southern Utah

Citizens of Southern Utah, be not afraid, for the AMAZING Spiderman is on patrol in parking lots in malls near you. Your safety is my number one responsibility. Once I walk these two citizens to their intended destination, and take a nap, I'll be right with you.

Spiderman, Spiderman,
Does whatever a spider can.
Spins a web, any size,
Catches thieves just like flies.
Look out! Here comes the Spiderman.

YouTube Tuesday: The Joy of Books

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Just cause.

If you can't see the clip above, please visit YouTube here: http://youtu.be/SKVcQnyEIT8

Postcards from the Past: Mail Call!

2012-01-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

Artistic Postcard courtesy of Jane
c. The College Years

A representation of me at the Postal Counter getting mail.

Not much has changed. I kind of still do a little dance
when I get real mail that's not a bill, invoice, or junk.

Recipes from Grandmary -- "Cracker Bark"

2012-01-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

There were few opportunities for Auntie Nettie to get in the kitchen whilst on her long winter break. Grandmary and Grumpa Max guard their domain with sharp words and elbows. However, they did try to make room for grandsons at times, for a segment called: Cooking with Drew, aka Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen.

One night, after a long (arduous, exhausting, tiresome) hike and an almost too late dinner, suddenly Grandmary decided to start teaching us how to make the "Cracker Bark."

It's good to know how to do this, but it was late, and it's not one of those recipes you get instantaneous gratification from ... not good if you are a tired and cranky almost 40 year old, er, I mean 7 year old.

Also, turns out, it's not even original to our family, or called Cracker Bark.

Julie's (who the heck was Julie?) Chocolate Crunch

2 tubes (1/2 box) saltine crackers [approximate]
1 cup sugar, white
1 ¾ sticks butter
1 12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips [2 cups]
1 to 1 ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

Line a jellyroll pan [or cookie sheet] with foil, leaving a 2 inch cuff.

Line with a single layer of crackers.

Put sugar and butter in a saucepan.

Heat on low until it bubbles, mixing well.

Turn off heat and leave on the burner for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Pour mixture over crackers and spread evenly. [Make sure to cover all the edges and sides of the crackers.]

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 13 minutes. [Insert Monty Python and the Holy Grail Holy Hand Grenade* joke here if you are Auntie Nettie, get odd looks from family.]**

Remove from oven and pour chocolate chips evenly over crackers.

Allow to sit 30-40 seconds [or] until melted, then spread evenly with a spatula. [Spread again to the sides and edges of crackers.]

Sprinkle nuts on top of the chocolate. [Grandmary also added bits of the cooked sugar coated crackers from prior batches to the nuts sprinkled on top of the chocolate.]

Refrigerate overnight.

Break into bite-size pieces and store in an airtight container.

Yummy, caramel buttery goodness. Or so I recall. I don't think I got any of this batch! How did that happen?

* Seriously? You don't know this reference?! What is geekdom coming to? For Robin's sake, go look at this clip on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOrgLj9lOwk

** Look, I know the whole Monty Python reference is a stretch, 13 not being 3 or 5, or even 4, but you have to admit that 13 minutes is a random amount of time to be cooking something. Why not just say until caramelly brown? Ovens differentiate!

Happy 2nd Birthday Nathan!

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday my little Nathan!

I can't believe it's been over a year since I've seen you.
You've grown so quickly over the last two years.

From this little guy I saw at just a few months old,

to our hair-raising experiences on the RiverTrip,

to hanging out with the whole famdamily at Christmas in 2010.

Look at how big you've gotten!

You were so cute last year,

but thanks to all the photos from your mom and dad's blogs*, I've been able to see your many adventures this past year, including:
going boating with your Papa,

trying to drown out your sisters' noisy antics,working on your driving skills,

lounging with your puppy,

showing off your book learning smartysmarts,and, most importantly,
your adorable little flirty face!

I love you kiddo.
Even though I'm only a face on the computer for now, I hope you know that!
Wish on a birthday candle that I'll see you this year,

Lots of love,
Auntie Nettie

*Many thanks to your folks for letting me shamelessly "borrow" these photos from their blogs.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Take 1

2012-01-12T19:31:00.001-05:00

If you can't see Take 1 here, please head over to YouTube at: http://youtu.be/joyeUmnNREQ

Please stand by ....

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hey there.

So look. I'm really glad you stopped by to see what's going on in the Attic. However, I took a really really really long vacation for the first time in decades, and won't fly in for a while...

OR depending on when you read this, I just flew in (and boy, are my arms tired!)

Sorry about that ... so, um ... I will be, or am, a little overwhelmed by my in-boxes.

Please stand by.

"We" will resume our regular-ish posting at a future date.

Thanks.

AN and SL

Kayaking Kohorts: January 3, 2012

2012-01-04T12:31:00.004-05:00

January 3rd:
61 degrees. Flipflops. Shorts/capris. No wind. Blue skies. Clear sailing.
This is why people vacation in southern Utah in the winter.

My Wishes for 2012!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

And lots of beach time with my friends and family!

Happy 2012 Everyone!

Wishing you love, laughter, health, happiness, fun, and friendship,

xo Auntie Nettie

Have a zen holiday!

2011-12-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

I loved this greeting from one of my e-digests, Shelf Awareness, so much,
that I want to share it with you.

Best Wishes from everyone at the Shelf,
and up in my Attic.

XO Auntie Nettie

Auntie Nettie's Attic Merchandise 2011 - December

2011-12-30T09:00:00.010-05:00

December is a month that blurs - speeding faster and faster toward Christmas and vacations. Thank goodness I document these things these days, or I wouldn't remember any of it.

According to my records, and/or the best that I can recall, this month I:
~got lots and lots of holiday cards and packages out;
~ saw friends and went skating;
~attended a very cute pre-school bake/book sale;
~worked late for a variety of functions or/stayed late to catch up on work;
~attended a production of Noel Coward's Hay Fever (and then walked around with a horrendously posh faux British accent for days);
~baked at least:
- 9 loaves of fruitcake (aka applebread);
- a cookie cake;
- about 6 batches of various types of cookies;
- about 10-20 batches of nut brittle;
~ had open "studio" hours aka show-and-tell time at the office (in lieu of a crafters' boutique);
~ attended a holiday party/cookie exchange;
~ cleaned, filed, scrubbed, and did chores;
and
~ caught up on a lot of television/holiday movies.

I was also playing Santa Elf, so ...

No wonder I need a long, three week vacation. YIPPEEEE.

I had to stop making things, but here's what managed to come off the hooks, while I was doing everything else.

ANA 2011-82 through 92: Kitchen Elf Ornaments
(misc. donated mystery yarn, left-over holiday hooks, and pieces of a random glitter ornament)
(not available, gifted by the Kitchen Elf)

ANA 2011-93: Mini Orange Birdie with Button Nose and Beak
(mystery leftover yarn, fiber fill, and buttons)
(no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2011-94: Mini Orange Birdie with White Button Eyes
(mystery leftover yarn, fiber fill, and buttons)

ANA 2011-95: Mini Yellow Birdie with Black Button Eyes
(mystery leftover yarn, fiber fill, and buttons)
(no longer available)

ANA 2011-96: Mini Orange/Yellow Owlie
(mystery leftover yarn and fiber fill)

ANA 2011-97: Mini Orange Birdie with Black Button Eyes
(mystery leftover yarn, fiber fill, and buttons)

ANA 2011-98: Mini Purple Birdie with Matching Button Eyes
(leftover "Vanna" Lion Brand yarn, fiber fill, and buttons)
(no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2011-99: Mini Turquoise Blue Bird
(mystery leftover yarn and fiber fill)
(no photo)

ANA 2011-100 through 103: Mini Blue Owlies
(mystery leftover yarn and fiber fill)
(no photos - but like ANA 2011-104/105, gifted)

ANA 2011-104: Mini Blue Owlie
(mystery leftover yarn and fiber fill)
(as of 1/2012, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2011-105: Mini Blue Owlie
(mystery leftover yarn and fiber fill)
(as of 1/2012, no longer available, gifted)

ANA 2011-106: Mini Red Bird with Black Button Eyes and Beak
(leftover yarn, fiber fill, and buttons)
(as of 1/2012, no longer available, gifted)ANA 2011-107: Stuffed Bear
(mystery leftover yarn and fiber fill)
Still in Progress:

2010: Multi-colored, multi-fiber chevron blanket
2011: Next Valentine's Day Secret Cupid gifts (shhhhh, don't tell anyone!)
Maroon Diamond Scarf
As ever, if you see something that interests you, please let me know.

The on-line shop will be re-opening late in January 2012.

Auntie Nettie Reads A LOT 2011 - 4th Quarter

2011-12-29T09:00:00.003-05:00

If you are just finding the blog, please note that this list was maintained mainly so that I could remember what I've read this year. The record does not fully represent me or all of my interests, so don't judge my reading habits. My interests change quite frequently. Also, as a general rule, I don't do book recommendations or link to major retailers or publishers. Except for the ARCs listed below [thanks major publishers!], most of these books came from MY library or a public library.

Go forth, use your library card and READ!

October 2011
Murder Under Covers: A Bibliophile Mystery by Kate Carlisle
The Borrower: A Novel by Rebecca Makkai (didn't finish)
Untold Story: A Novel by Monica Ali (didn't finish)
My Year with Eleanor: A Memoir by Noelle Hancock
Something Borrowed: A Novel by Emily Giffin
The American Wife: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld (didn't finish)
Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field: A Novel by Melissa Nathan (reread, from own library)
Dragonsinger (Harper Hall Trilogy, Pern) by Anne McCaffrey (reread, from own library) *RIP
Dragonsong (Harper Hall Trilogy, Pern) by Anne McCaffrey (reread, from own library)

November 2011
We Are All Welcome Here: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg
In An Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing by Lee and Bob Woodruff
The Masterharper of Pern: A Novel by Anne McCaffrey (reread, from own library)
American Gods: 10th Anniversary Author's Definitive Text by Neil Gaiman
Heartwishes: A Edilean Novel by Jude Deveraux
Changes: Volume Three of the Collegium Chronicles (A Valdemar Novel) by Mercedes Lackey
A Stitch in Snow by Anne McCaffrey (reread, from own library)
The Came You: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner

December 2011
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
The Next Always (Inn at BoonsBoro No. 1) by Nora Roberts
The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo
Silence (Hush, Hush Series No. 3) by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Scottish Prisoner: A Novel (Lord John's Novel) by Diana Gabaldon
First Truth by Dawn Cook
Hidden Truth by Dawn Cook
Forgotten Truth by Dawn Cook
13 Gifts by Wendy Mass (3rd in a series, need to find the first two)
Evening Class by Maeve Binchy
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Cinder (Book One of The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer (ARC)

Previous Reading Lists may be found here.

Happy Reading!

Happy Anniversary Grandmary and Grumpa Max!

2011-12-27T09:00:00.002-05:00

Appropriate words for my parents on their anniversary:

For you there shall be no longing,
for you shall be fulfillment to each other;
For you there shall be no harm,
for you shall be a shield for each other;
For you there shall be no falling,
for you shall be support to each other;
For you there shall be no sorrow,
for you shall be comfort to each other;
For you there shall be no loneliness,
for you shall be company to each other;
For you there shall be no discord,
for you shall be peace to each other;
And for you there shall be no searching,
for you shall be an end to each other.

~ Kawaida Marriage Commitment

I'll be Home for Christmas

2011-12-25T09:00:00.002-05:00

What? It's Christmas?!
OH NO! But Auntie Nettie's not here ....

No worries, Elle. Christmas doesn't always have to be on the 25th.

Christmas can be whenever family and friends gather to celebrate.
It can involve trees, presents, or all kinds of rituals, like food and games.

You know the song: "I'll be home for Christmas"?
Home is really where ever your heart is.

For me, it's ranged from the Connecticut house,

to high school hallways with best friends, to tiny dorm rooms at college with lifelong friends,

included songs, various decorations, watching others open their gifts,

and especially keeping an eye out while the parents decorated the trees.

it's also included visits West to new branches of the family Christmas tree,

to celebrating with my Caramoor family around teatime.

Christmas includes seeing Grumpa Max open presents carefully to save paper and hope it's not what's in the box, and seeing Grandmary beam with pride at Uncle Max's accomplishments.
She also likes to count her Benjamins for her sparkly Diamond Studs.

A few years, Christmas involved the Western families visiting the East Coast (brrrr!), or

quieter gatherings with just Grandmary, Grumpa, Auntie Nettie, and crafts and trash, OR

general silliness, like the mockings of traditions -- which every family does -- to,

new traditions of visits at the Grandmary's and Grumpa's various Dam Houses or Big White Houses.
How quickly time is passing and how fast you all are growing.

Some families puzzle how to incorporate traditions from two sides, while others resort to snowball wars.

Universal trends include looking at lights, talking to Santa,

or goofing off with siblings and cousins,

but always presents -- lots and lots of presents -- and food.

Merry Christmas my lovies.
I'll be "home" for Christmas, where ever you all are.
(even if I'm really in an airport, in a security line, or on a plane ...)

Merry Christmas from The Shushing Librarian!

2011-12-24T16:50:00.002-05:00

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

May the true meaning of the season bring you much joy and peace.

Please bring the gift of reading, information literacy, and language to someone you know this season. Spread the love of libraries and librarians to all you know.

Use your library card. Vote to support your local library system. Ensure that librarians, administrative and support staff, clerks, pages, and security remain employed in 2012 and years to come.

~ The Shushing Librarian

Holiday Traditions: Posing with Presents for Posterity

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

One of our family's stranger traditions is what I'm calling the "Posing with the Presents for Posterity" Photos, aka, when long-distance relatives you haven't seen in year(s) send you stuff, you document it for them, so they can see it arrived, fits (to a certain degree), and is worn/used, at least once.

My mother's photo albums/large boxes (filled with random sets of pictures she never got sorted and then schlepped across the country) are filled with these types of photos from our childhood. Our grandmothers lived in Utah and North Carolina respectively. We lived in Connecticut. Travel for a family of 5 wasn't cheap, nor was it easy for them to come to us. When we'd get presents for birthdays/holidays, the sizes would be ... a little off. I remember one year, the sweatshirt that was meant for me wouldn't even fit my youngest brother. Making it more complicated? The sweatshirt was "decorated" with my name ... in gold glitter. (You know ... I have to find a copy of that photo. Maybe my mental snapshot of that sweatshirt isn't as bad as I remember! NAH...It's probably worse than I recall. Sorry Grandma. You did try.)

In an odd passing of the torch, now I'm the one who lives across the country. Travel for a family of 5 is even more expensive, and now their location makes the journey not at all easy for me during the holiday season. With the ease of texting, cell phones, digital photo attachments and now Skype, you'd think it'd be easier to get clothing sizes and styles right. NOPE.

Thanks to my sister-in-law for wrangling the kids into one of their early Christmas/back-to-school/just-for-the-heck-of-it auntie packages of new t-shirts and gloves. The shirts fit -- for now, though I see Nathan inheriting a couple down the line. They will grow into the gloves.

Above: Me thinks that Elle is not so impressed by big sister's antics.

Amber below: You talkin' to me?

Christina reports: "They are pulling some funny faces (especially gangster Amber) but I thought I would share the kids in their new stuff."

2600 miles away and New York is already having a negative influence.
How do they pick up a DeNiro impression or know gangster stuff after growing up in Southern Utah?

Holiday Traditions: Christmas 2010

2011-12-20T09:00:00.002-05:00

I'm so grateful that I actually recorded this family get-together. It was the first time in years all of us were together as a unit for Christmas. Usually, either someone was working the overnight, one portion of the family was on one coast, while others flew west, or other members were/are heaven knows where. Grandparents' homes make nice neutral territories to gather for presents and food.

We all thought that Christmas 2010 would be the first of many grand gathering of the clan around the chimney and tree. Who was to know that some of the family would move further north this past year? It won't be the same this year without 5-6 key people, but it will be equally as zany. Christmas "morning" will be held later in the week, so travelers can arrive, overnight nurses can get OT, and "so other people can get their heads screwed on straight."

Aside from all the rapidly flying inside jokes that we'll be the only ones to truly appreciate, this oddly edited (and slightly long) video shows a snapshot of time when little ones were still crawling, cuddling, singing, and playing with their cousins without complaint, grandparents and parents were bouncing wee ones on their knee, and illustrates Auntie Nettie endeavoring to play videographer -- odd, since there are two professionals in the group who usually do it. (This is how I'm NOT in the picture - part of my well-thought-out plan.)

Pie anyone? Is it Christmas yet?

(If you can't view it here, it can be found at: http://youtu.be/8XwVHZdtgIE)

Holiday Traditions: Cookie Exchanges/Decorating

2011-12-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

Many thanks to Jess for inviting me over the river and across the train tracks to her holiday cookie exchange. It was so wonderful to go and socialize in a nice mellow environment with great food. Bonus? The IT Boys are getting a variety pack of cookies today (or what's left. I had to eat some of the tiny cupcakes and the Oreo Truffles! Editing note: Snafu in the delivery to the IT Boys. Somehow they ended up with peanut butter crisps and the MailRoom got the assorted cookie exchange pack. Don't deliver when distracted.)

In addition to food, drink, and conversation, there were sugar cookies to decorate. One tip though, when attending a party with professional prop masters, set decorators, and theatrical types from drama programs, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and off-off Broadway productions, don't expect to even come close to looking like you are knowing what you are doing when it comes to decorating.

That top row .. can you see? Some of those look like vintage ornaments.
Lots of little kids running about also helps set the mood, though they want to eat the cookies not decorate.

Cookies by Ms. Lili with help from Mom.

Finally, one reminder for the holiday season ....

Don't eat the yellow snow...man!

Oh yeah. I went there. I had to do it.

Recipes from Aunt Flora -- Spicette Cookies

2011-12-18T09:00:00.001-05:00

I was invited to a cookie exchange this year and decided to expand the repertoire a little bit. We all are used to the peanut butter kisses cookies, the chocolate crinkles, the snickerdoodles, and other fairly traditional well-known treats. I knew I was going to take the brittle from one side of my family, which I've already made about 10 batches of in a week, but I wanted to try something else. I had been passing this Spicette Cookie recipe every time I flipped through Aunt Flora's family book, so I was waiting for the perfect opportunity.

I did finally manage to find spice drops - aka gum drops like they usually have at Easter and throughout the year, but have a more anise flavoring in the granulated sugar coating - at my fourth drug store, after missing them early in the Christmas season (back in OCTOBER!). It was a mixed box of colors, so I picked through to find the red, green, and white ones (cinnamon, wintergreen, and peppermint). If there was a blue spice drop, you could use those and the yellow ones for a Hanukkah party.

With the oatmeal, coconut, and candy, it's pretty sweet and sneakily filling. I could have added some cloves/cinnamon to the mix to pick up the anise flavors in the candy though.

Spicette Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup rolled oats

1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

1 cup spiced gum drops, cut in pieces
1 cup coconut

Cream shortening and sugar. [Set aside.]
[In separate bowl,] Sift dry ingredients together. [Set aside.]
Add eggs to sugar mixture [mix well], and then add teaspoon vanilla, [and mix well.]
Add rolled oats and dry ingredients [to wet batter, and mix well].
[Add coconut and gum drops to the batter and mix well.]
Place on a cookie sheet and cook at 375 degrees for 8 minutes [or until done.]

With my cookie scooper, I got 4 dozen.

From the cookie exchange, I got WAY too many cookies. The IT boys might, or might not, get to enjoy some of them.

Also, parchment paper? I am late to the bandwagon, but I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS STUFF!

Meery Cerismis!

2011-12-17T09:00:00.001-05:00

I love mail. Good ol'fashioned-stick a stamp on it, go to the Post Office, send a parcel, schlep it home and open it- mail. Why?

Can you stick an e-mail on the wall (well, technically, you can stick the paper that the e-mail could be printed on on the wall, but still...) ? No.

Can you guarantee that texts, tweets, blogs, and/or e-mails will last if servers crash? No.

Can you touch mails (again, technically, but ....)? No.

With actual physical mail:

Can you see the imprint of crayon, graphite, water colors, and sometimes other miscellaneous things on the paper? YES!

Can you see eye hand coordination getting better, due to writing and scissor skills? See how they share, due to extra notes from siblings and parents? YES!

OR

Bestest besty best yet, when you open your letter or parcel,

Can you almost get a whiff of baby shampoo? Of sugar and spice and everything nice?

YES!

That's why I love mail.

This auntie treasures every piece of paper and drawing sent to her
(judiciously archived after a time, of course.)
Because:
It makes me smile.
Brings color to my life and puts me in a good mood when I leave the house.
And, dare I say it?
Melts my shriveled Grinch's heart into a puddle of goo.

Meery cerismis to all!

Holiday Traditions: New York Skating, Part 2

2011-12-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

It was so wonderful to spend time at the Park with some dear friends and their families. Jane and her mom were there, also not skating. Unfortunately it was too crowded for us to be able to chat and catch up comfortably. After soaking up the sun, watching the sights, they were off to refresh and bask at Lord & Taylor and then deal with crowds in other parts of the City.

Most of the day's enjoyment was due to watching Tammy and her kids J & J go skating. As is usual with getting together with Tammy, it's a matter of hoping and praying that there is a hole in the kids' very over-extended weekend schedule of activities. I heard that they actually voted to skip basketball and other parties to come in and go skating! Excellent. (Also excellent, having a designated "extra" adult to carry the bags, take the picture, and tag-team the kids. Wow they are quick darting around and under and between legs.)

I think this excursion went a little better than our last one to the Botanical Gardens. It was less hot, the kids were more involved, and it involved all the chips, cocoa, and cookies they could eat BEFORE we headed back to Two Boots in Grand Central for pizza and pasta.

Here's a little photo montage of the day from my perspective. I thought it was important for me to document Tammy doing things with the kids. She needs to be in the pictures too!

Holiday Traditions: New York Skating, Part 1

2011-12-15T21:27:00.009-05:00

One of the more magical things about the holidays in New York is the addition of new recreational opportunities in the City. I've visited Bryant Park many times over the years, but never really spent time at the rink.

Recently, my alma mater had a special Reunion event/skating party at the Citi Pond ice rink and a bunch of us attended. Now, after my experience with the "shark" on Cape Cod, the thought of me on ice sent shivers down the spine of everyone around me. Instead, I lingered as close to the rail as I could and took pictures ... lots and lots of pictures.

The tree and directions.

What would a day at at a skating rink be without a cameo by the ZAMBONI!?

Don't forget to look up. Some gorgeous views of a gorgeous day.

There were some serious fashions on display. HOOO says you can't be fashionable while having fun?

This little fashionista has the skates that I totally need.
Next time, I am going up to the expensive restaurant and watching from the sky box.

One of the unfortunate fashion choices can be seen on the left,
in contrast to the view on the right - which is the correct fashion for the venue.

It was so beautiful, it seemed a shame to stay under cover of the tent.

The only negative to the whole day, besides the fact that it was so freaking crowded on the rink and in the Park that you couldn't go an inch without bumping people, was the strategic placement of Kettle Corn NYC's stand by some turbo ventilation fans. The whole rink and tent smelled of kettle corn, driving people to make many a corny pun. Sweet torture indeed.

If you are going to go skating in Bryant Park, bring your own skates, DON'T go at noon on a Saturday during a beautiful weekend, and do be patient with amateur skaters/photographers/tourists.

Don't text and walk. Don't stop and gawk. Stay to the right of sidewalks, stairs, and don't (for the love of all that is holy) BLOCK THE TRAIN DOORS!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas: New York Version

2011-12-12T09:00:00.003-05:00

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore:

'Twas weeks before Christmas, when all through my house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were thrown in the basket sans care,

In hopes that the Laundry Fairy soon would be there;

My neighbors were definitely not in their beds,

As they were having a party up over my head;

As their laughter continued and the tunes tuned to rap,

I found it impossible to settle into my nap,

When outside the window there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Across the apartment I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The sun had not set on the street filled with cars

As witnesses stood with their jaws wide ajar,

When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,

Some moron climbing up in festive party gear.

“What the heck!?” says I, (an original retort),

“What you are doing is worth a report!

“For not so kosher or safe is your plan,

To bedeck and bedazzle our place, to make glam.”

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And strung all the lights; then turned (what a jerk!),

Then laying a “finger” on the bridge of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the escape swiftly he rose;

He sprang to his ledge, to his friends gave a whistle,

And at the party they grooved and "threw down" some tinsel.

But I heard him exclaim, a lot through that night,

"Merry Christmas to all, ‘cuz now it’s just right."

Seriously. That's the view from my fire escape. You can't make this stuff up people.

Recipes from Aunt Flora -- Janean's "Santa Punch"

2011-12-11T18:00:00.004-05:00

Need to punch Santa? No? What about making Santa punch? Maybe I'm just punchy from too much holiday stress? Yes.

So ... here's a little something to try for the season. Spike or not, as you will, to get through the Hollydaze.

Santa Punch

1 pint cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
2 cups cold water
1 6 oz can frozen orange juice, undiluted
14 oz. ginger ale, chilled

Combine cranberry juice, orange concentrate, and water. Just before serving, add ice. Pour soda down side of bowl.

Why punch? Because that's what I want(ed) to do when I went to my local drugstore to buy holiday spice drops for the recipe I wanted to try for today AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE THEM! How can it be the holidays without spice drops? Oh, I know ... because now they have to carry every single M&M, Mars product, or Hersey product in holiday wrapping, flavors, or assorted mix bags like it's Halloween.

No traditional old-fashioned candies? Another reason why I'm a Grinch this season.

Xmas list to date:
Xmas cards bought and addressed and in mail: ALL DONE
Xmas ornaments: ALL DONE
Presents bought and wrapped: ALL DONE
Presents left to be shipped: 2
Home Decor: Just the door. Simplicity is the order of the house
Holiday Baking - IN PROGRESS -- this weekend's tally:
6 apple bread loaves
2 batches of Apple Hermits
2 batches of peanut butter cookies
1 batch of snicker doodles
1 batch of peanut brittle
(ow, my poor arm/shoulder/neck/feet)
Holiday Cheer: still severely lacking due to stress being high
Grinch Factor, on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high): 1 (2 weeks until a 3 week vacation!!)

fa la la la la, la freaking la

Quote of the Day: Frequent Flier

2011-12-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Yet more from the English Comp binder, published in the October 26, 1992 The New Republic:

Frequent Flier

In the sky's blue eye, distance draws
like a magnet.

Clouds like syllables of sheer ecstasy
and even the blue is fake,
as you've been told.

Here?--where you weren't
just now. And where
you won't be,
soon.

In the time it take you to read these lines.
In the time it takes you to turn
a page, or smile out the window
at what's rushing, there,
unnamed and of absolutely no consequence,
in the sky's blue eye.

~ Joyce Carol Oates

Quote of the Day: Light Baggage

2011-12-08T09:00:00.002-05:00

Another one from my English Comp binder, but I can't find the author attribution, so my apologies:

Light Baggage
(for Zora, Nella, Jean*)

there is a magic
lingering after people
to whom success is merely personal
who, when the public prepares a feat
for their belated acceptance parties,
pack it up like light baggage
and disappear into the swamps of Florida
or go looking for newer Gods
in the Oak tree country
of Pennsylvania.
Or decide, quite suddenly, to try nursing,
midwifery, anonymous among the sick and the poor.
Stories about such people
tell us little;
and if a hundred photographs survive
each one will show a different face.
someone out of step. alone out there, absorbed;
fishing in the waters of experience
a slouched back against the shoulders
of the world.

*Zora Neale Hurston, Nella Larson, and Jean Toomer wrote and published their best work during the twenties and thirties. At some point in their careers each of them left the "career" of writing and went off seeking writing's very heart: life itself. Zora went back to her native Florida where she lived in a one-room cabin and raised her own food; Jean Toomer became a Quaker and country philosopher in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; and Nell Larson, less known than either Hurston or Toomer, became a nurse.

Quote of the Day: Rereading Jane Austen's Novels

2011-12-06T09:00:00.002-05:00

Found this in a binder from my English comps.

Rereading Jane Austen's Novels

This time around, they didn't seem so comic.
Mama is foolish, dim or dead, Papa's
a sort of genial, pampered lunatic.
No one thinks of anything but class.

Talk about rural idiocy! Imagine
a life of teas with Mrs. and Miss Bates,
of fancywork and Mr. Elton's sermons!
No wonder lively girls get into states--

no school! no friends! A man might dash to town
just to have his hair cut in the fashion
while she can't walk five miles on her own.
Past twenty, she conceives a modest crush on

some local stuffed shirt in a riding cloak
who's twice her age and maybe half as bright.
At least he's got some land and gets a joke--
but will her jokes survive the wedding night?

The happy end ends all. Beneath the blotter
the author slides her page, and shakes her head,
and goes to supper--Sunday's joint warmed over,
followed by whist, and family prayers, and bed.

~ Katha Pollit

Found from a copy made from the August 7 & 14, 1989 The New Republic

Checking In: Boy I'm Crazy ... about Big Bundts

2011-12-05T09:00:00.004-05:00

Due to a lot of nights last week, when all I saw was the stuff on the left, my house looks a lot this shelf there on the right. (Like how Mother Nature decided to shine a light on the mess?) So obviously, not a lot of blogging ... If I'm lucky, I can work at least a week ahead on the blog, "banking" for busy times of year, like now. Unfortunately, my luck at the bank ran out.

This time of year is busy, personally and professionally. Between holiday cards, deadlines, year-end appeals, plus last minute shopping, wrapping, shipping, and baking, things are a bit busy. And that's just for stuff for work!

Like this stuff below, the cakes on the left were for work, the birdie was a gift, and the holiday stockings were made to hung with the chimney with care. I made all of those in a day. That doesn't leave much time for typing. I will do what I can to recap when I get breathers. I may need to have some guest posts for a while -- from The Shushing Librarian.

Speaking of ....

That bundt cake? It had a few "layers." I made it for my boss' birthday - at his request, but it also served to be one of just a few bundts that were made as part of the Food Librarian's third annual I Love Big Bundts round-up celebrating National Bundt Day on November 15th.

If you click on the link to the round-up and scroll down to No. 123, you'll see my bundt.
Because I participated, I got a pin.
Unfortunately, my Shushing Librarian roommate absconded with it.

(Something about her relationship [cousin or something like that] to Mary the Food Librarian's librarian action figure.)

Basically, to recap, this post was just a way of saying a 'hole lot (a bundt hole) of nothing ... kind of like what might be appearing here and there for a bit this month, until I can catch my breath.

Xmas list to date:
Xmas cards - bought and addressed - CHECK
Xmas cards - in mail - a third
(UPDATE: by day's end - two-thirds are in the mail, thank you very much!)
Xmas ornaments - last batch, in process of being made
Presents bought - CHECK
Presents wrapped - CHECK
Presents to be shipped - in progress
Home Decor - The door is decorated and that will be ALL!
Holiday Baking - to do
Holiday Cheer - still severely lacking
Grinch Factor, on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) - -2

fa la la la la, la freaking la

Recipes from Aunt Flora -- Janean's Applesauce Cake

2011-12-04T09:00:00.003-05:00

Applesauce Cake

2 ¾ cup sifted flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cloves, ground
¾ cup sugar, white
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup soft shortening
2 cups applesauce
2 eggs, beaten in
1 ½ cup raisins

Sift flour with sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.
Add shortening and applesauce. Beat 2 minutes, until blended.
Add eggs and beat again.
Stir in the raisins.
Bake in greased 13x9 pan at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes (or until done).

I topped with crystallize sugar for a crunchy top, rather than the topping called for. I also mixed in additional dried fruit to the mix.

World’s Shortest Fairytale

2011-12-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Once upona time, a guy asked a girl, "Will you marry me?" The girl said "No"and she lived happily ever after and went shopping, drank ~~martinis~~ beverageswith friends, ~~always~~ sometimes had a clean house, never had to cook (unless she felt like it), hada closet full of comfy shoes and gigantic handbags, stayed relatively ~~skinny~~ heathlylooking, and never had to share her remote or watch football*.

The End

*except for ogling those tight ends

Black Friday 2011: Stopping to Smell the Roses

2011-11-30T09:00:00.004-05:00

I wish this could be smell-o-vision, because I can't describe how wonderful these top two vintage roses were, located right at the entrance to the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Gardens. Nothing beats the smell of vintage heirloom roses. The ones you get from bodegas, florists, or in the mail may LOOK pretty, but most of them have no fragrance anymore. Give me a wild hedge-rose any day for the bouquet ... and the rush of nostalgia.

Please Mother Nature. Hold off on winter a while longer. I don't care that tomorrow is December. I need the roses to hang on a while longer. I need to make another stop, or 15, as we rush up to Christmas.

P.S. Sorry Christine. I had to. I just had to.

Black Friday 2011: Fall goes out with a Flare

2011-11-29T09:00:00.001-05:00

Aside from the freak snowstorm last month, most of November has been wonderfully unseasonable, with some days reaching the high 60s. I've either been stuck in an office or busy on the weekends so I couldn't get away to enjoy it. Thank goodness for Thanksgiving breaks.

I grabbed one of my little friends (see her there in front of the glowing ginko?) and we flitted down to the New York Botanical Gardens to revel in the glories of a beautiful Black Friday away from family, malls, crazed shoppers, and, in some parts of the gardens, crowds. I managed to spend exactly $0.00 the whole day!

IT WAS GLORIOUS! I have proof. Look!

The gardens suffered a lot of damage this year, from various ice storms, Irene, and then the October snow storm. Nothing goes to waste. It's all part of the cycle of a forest. Personally, I think cross section of a tulip tree this would be a glorious coffee table. (Full disclosure: I did bump up the sat levels on these few so you could see what it would look like with some stain and varnish.)

More glories: There were still lovely roses - but more on those in a later post. The trees and branches that came down created some interesting effects.

Below: If you walk by logs too fast, you miss the catching a glimpse of a squirrel's cache. Doesn't this mossy log look inviting?

Reflections on the day: The sun goes down too quickly now. By 4:00 p.m. the sun hits a low angle and temperature starts to drop. You can't store up enough Vitamin D. Speaking of stores: This is the closest I've come to turkey for two Thanksgivings and Black Fridays now: those wild fowls that keep an eye on the shoppers behind the gift shop.

Dinos for Drew: An Afternoon at the Museum

2011-11-28T09:00:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time, dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Then something* happened and now they don't. The bones of the dinosaurs lay buried in the ground until people found them and put them on display in special museums.

Once upon a time (much later), there was an auntie who loved her nephew very much. She lived in a magical place where she could stop by the actual real-live place from the Night at the Museum. That very special nephew, you see, LOVED dinosaurs. LOVED them so much, that the auntie found herself taking a friend to the museum with the intent of [REDACTED] shopping and to study up on dinosaurs so she could have a semi-intelligent conversation with a six-year-old. (It's been a long time since the auntie had younger brothers that were into dinosaurs.)

Hopefully this will end up being an interactive entry, with Questions from me and Answers later from Drew.

HEY YOU! Yeah YOU DREW! What you looking at? You lookin' at me?

I took a bite out of a section of the museum. There was so much to see -- I just flew through some sections.

What are these things?

And these? They look sort-of familiar!

I know what these are, but you tell me!

They wouldn't let me play with these models, or climb up on this guy. I was sad.

I thought about buying you a stuffed dino, but aren't you too big?

Is this a brontosaurus or a gigantisaurus?
All I know is that it was too big to fit in one picture.

This T.Rex looks awfully familiar. Is her name Sue?

Guess what happened? This guy scared my friend!
She screamed and then scared other people (Silly friend.)

Miss you bunches, my Drew. See you for Christmas.
Write soon.

love,

Aunt Nettie

*We'll stay away from the evolutionism/creationism/aliens from outer space theories conversations here.

Auntie Nettie's Attic Merchandise 2011 - November

2011-11-27T09:00:00.005-05:00

Another month gone, and suddenly November is over too. A brief look at the calendar reveals that I was busy:

~ Dealing with too much work, work-related events, and other issues too boring to mention;
~ Fighting various allergies, office colds, or flus that are a result of commuting and the bizarre weather cycles that make it snow before Halloween and then 65 degrees a month before Christmas;
~ Catching up on hours of television viewing either thanks to On-Demand cable or programs on-line;
~ Busily crafting, working on Christmas cards, blogging, baking, or out and about doing social things like dining with friends or attending the following:
- A viewing of the documentary "Pianomania" at the Film Society, which made me realized, once again, that I never did have the temperament to be a solo pianist;
- A special evening of music at Carnegie Hall with Jane, watching Joshua Bell coax some incredible sounds of out his fiddle, and envying his pianist his technique and score on an iPad;
- A viewing of "Being Elmo," also at the Film Society, which brought grown men and women to tears in one moment and laughter the next;
- The ritual known as Pre-Thanksgiving shopping at a CostCo in the suburbs the Sunday before Thanksgiving; and then
- Enjoying a glorious Black Friday at the New York Botanical Garden with Christine.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I was graciously invited to partake in many Thanksgiving gatherings this year, but was able to take part in my new tradition of Chinese Food and an afternoon of Skyping friends and family.

But by FAR, the highlight of the month was getting two letters in one week from Drew, along with special school pictures from Amber and Elle.

In the meantime, these are the few things I managed to make with yarn this month:

ANA 2011-64: Rainbow Tie-died Bear
(Combination of mystery tie-died yarn and left-over white sport weight yarn, and fiber fill)
(no longer available, Toys for Tots donation)
ANA 2011-65: Maroon Scarf
(3 skeins of Mimosa Merino Superfine boucle, polyamide and virgin wool merino superfine)

in close-up

ANA 2011-66: Rainbow Tie-died Bear
(Combination of donated mystery tie-die yarn and Caron Simply Soft white, and fiber fill)
(no longer available, Toys for Tots donation)
ANA 2011-67: Forest Green ribbed scarf
(2 skeins Lambs Pride Worsted, wool and mohair)

in close-up

ANA 2011-68: Mini Grey Owl
(various leftover yarns and fiber fill)
(as of 12/2011, no longer available)
ANA 2011-69: Mini Yellow Birdie
(mystery leftover yarn and fiber fill)
ANA 2011-70: Mini Maroon Birdie
(various leftover yarns and fiber fill) (no longer available, gifted)
ANA 2011-71 & 72: Mini Maroon and Gold Holiday Stocking, trimmed in White
(various leftover mystery yarns)
(no longer available, holiday gifts)
ANA 2011-73 & 74: Mini White Holiday Stocking: Trimmed in Maroon and Gold
(various leftover mystery yarns)
(no longer available, holiday gifts)
ANA 2011-75: Variegated Purple Pullover Hat - Child Size
(mystery yarn)
ANA 2011-76: Mini Blue Bird
(various leftover mystery yarn and fiber fill)
(as of 12/2011, no longer available)
ANA 2011-77: Variegated Purple Pullover - Adult Size
(mystery yarn)

Seen together

ANA 2011-78: Mini Cream Owl
(various leftover mystery yarns and fiber fill)
(as of 12/2011, no longer available, gifted)
ANA 2011-79: Mini Blue-flecked Bird with Blue Eyes
(leftover mystery yarn and fiber fill)
ANA 2011-80: Mini Blue-flecked Bird with White Eyes
(leftover mystery yarn and fiber fill)
ANA 2011-81: Brown and Black Color-Blocked Purse
(2 skeins Lion Brand wool and a handles from Joannes, Purse n-alize it brand)
Still in Progress:
2010: Multi-colored, multi-fiber chevron blanket
2011: Next Valentine's Day Secret Cupid gifts (shhhh, don't tell anyone!)
Maroon Diamond Scarf

As ever, if you see something that interests you, please let me know.

The on-line shop will be on hiatus until after I get back from my holiday vacation.
I'm just too busy with all my salaried jobs to run it right now.

Photo of the Day: My X are Better than Yours

2011-11-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Spotted on the Upper West Side, Columbus Day, 2011
ABC Studio windows - some executive or anchor's office

Most people use bookends that are a little less ... ornate.
Also, don't you think a pair of Emmies would have sufficed?

Two pairs seems to be bragging!